School Photography - How to deliver the perfect school photography package

Before we know it, it will be Back to School Season and schools will be looking to hire a school photography company for their yearly photos. In a niche market how can you ensure your company stands out from competitors and delivers an outstanding service and a high quality product.

Lets take a look at the important factors which can help you provide the perfect school photography package.

#1 Offer a range of styles

With thousands of schools accross the country its important to offer a variety of styles of photos to appeal to a wider audience. Within your range be sure to include the standard individual portrait photos and yearly class photos but also try offering some unique alternative styles such as a freestyle group shot or a montage board.

A freestyle class photo would be an exciting alternative to a traditional shot and could also look great in a schools reception area to really portray the atmosphere within the school.

#2 Staging the photos

Working with children can never be easy... so its important to have realistic expectations about what may happen. Children loose interest easily, so its important to keep it short and sweet, so they wont be put off for next time as you will want to try to get repeat business.

To make the process fun and involve the children as much as possible. Try and get them to do a pose they want to do.... it may turn out to be a good shot and will keep them much more coorperated so you get a smile rather than a frown...

#3 Include Props

This is a great opportunity to allow children to get more involved and to show theirs and the schools imaginations. Books are great for portraying learning whereas maybe getting the children to draw can show off their creativity.

Or maybe do a frame wihtin a frame... take a large vintage frame along for the child to hold and pose behind.

#4 Printing

Be sure to offer a wide range of finishes and sizes to suit all budgets and to have plenty for parents to choose from. Start with the finishes such as a gloss or a matt effect for a more professional look.

Then ensure you can print in a wide variety of sizes to suit all needs. Common insert sizes such as 6 x 8 & 8 x 10 are a must and if you are offering group or team photos then a 5 x 12 panoramic size is also important.

These memories are treasured by the end user so its important that you offer a selection of wall art sizes in case they want it to take pride of place in the hallway such as 12 x 16 or a 16 x 20 frame which  will really give the image space.

#5 Framing

A school photograph is every precious to parents and grandparents alike so its important the frame is premium and protects the memory.

A range of material is available from wood, glass, acrylic and canvas even, each suited to particular needs.

Graduation is such an important moment that the photos require a more premium feel and therefore wood such as Teak or Beech will give it that quality and durable feel.

Where as a glass mount with aperture that enables school branding will give a contemporary look to a yearly school photo.

The Adventa 8 x 10 Glass Mount uses 4mm toughened safety glass so that it is not only durable but is a prestigious way of framing school prints. This patent pending design takes only 5 seconds to create and can be used portrait or landscape.

Alternatively for the more creative freestyle shot a large QuickPro ArtWrap Canvas may really help draw attention to the image from the wall. Taking only 120 seconds to create, this premium canvas system is quick to use, ensures neat corners and is available in wholesale quantities.

Make sure you have a product for every price range so you dont miss out on vital customers.

# upsell

It is important to offer a range of add-on products. This can be a range of additional smaller frames, keyrings & magnets or seasonal gifts even, so parents can give additional school photo prints to relatives as a Christmas present. If you would like to browse through some ideas, be sure to check out our product ranage here.

The Premium Solo Mount Magnet is a colourful and fun way to show of prints either as a frame on a shelf or as a magnet on a fridge.

Alternatively there is the Wallet Keyring, with a big print area which enables increased picture definition which Dads can treasure on their wallet.

#7 Providing a digital service

If you are providing a wide range of styles and products why dont you give the opportunity to a parent to allow them in their own time to scroll through the different images and options online so they can perusal and choose their favourite photo & the right product for them. Try creating smart software and populate all of your product range with their photos so they can see how it will look.

The sharing of photos digitally is also getting increasingly popular. Why not put all the photos on a USB for parents to share with relatives or to get creative with. They may want to make their own collage...

Students also like to get creative and share with friends so why not offer a portal for them where they can edit their own photo with effects, different fonts and borders and then print them of or share with friends via email or social media channels

Summary

In a parents eye a childs school photo is a treasured memory forever, so the end result not only has to be durable and high quality but needs to suit the requirements and budgets of varying customers so its important to offer a selection of packages so theres something for everyone.

Follow these steps to ensure you meet not only the end users needs but also the schools to ensure you get successful repeat business year after year.